Today is the First-Ever National Body Confidence Day

Considering the world has two "holidays" dedicated to doughnuts, Seventeen decided we're long overdue in declaring the first official National Body Confidence Day - that would be today, October 17 (of course!).

But Body Confidence Day isn't just a one-day thing - it's the start of a movement. We're working with Instagram to get the conversation going about body image and to create a community where we accept and celebrate ourselves - and each other - for the amazing individuals we are.

Here's how you can get involved:

1. Show off your most confident self.

Starting right now, post photos and videos of yourself, your friends, and anyone who inspires you to embrace yourself to Instagram with #PerfectlyMe. We'll regram pics tagged with @Seventeen and #PerfectlyMe all month long and feature our favorites in future issues!

2. Help make your social spaces safer.

Instagram is so committed to making the #PerfectlyMe community a safe space that they're choosing today - Body Confidence Day! - to launch new features that can literally save lives. Check them out here.

3. Share stories from girls who inspire you.

Hearing from girls who are brave enough to talk openly about their #PerfectlyMe journeys inspires us all to feel more confident. Hear from teens like Pamela, 17, who had her legs amputated as a child and has learned to walk with pride; or Paola, 21, who changed the way people talked about her body and turned words like "chubby" into an insult. Find more empowering stories from girls just like you at seventeen.com/perfectlyme.

Photo credit: Nesrin Dana @Blackprints

4. Channel a body image role model.

May we suggest November cover girl Ariel Winter? "I tell myself every day, 'I look fabulous,'" Ariel told Seventeen, while still admitting that learning to embrace yourself (flaws and all) is a work in progress. "I haven't reached the level of body confidence that I would like to reach yet. But I'm on my way there," the Modern Family star said. Read Ariel's exclusive interview in Seventeen in stores everywhere now.

Photo credit: Collin Stark and Jessica Stark

Of course, the way you treat yourself is as important as how you talk to, and about, other people. That's why we're excited about our partnership with Paul Mitchell Neon, whose new anti-bullying campaign reminds us to be kind and to embrace each other's #StandOutStyle. (Go to seventeen.com/freebies for a chance to win the complete Paul Mitchell Neon product collection.)